the greatest visual observer

[Argonavis]

On this day 148 years ago, Edward Emerson Barnard was born. The year was 1857, and he would go on to an astronomical career that labelled him as the greatest visual observer of the 20th Century.

A bio is at:
http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/Bios/barnard.html

He was also a pioneer of astrophotography, and produced the classic "Photographic Atlas of Selected Regions of the Milky Way". Origianl copies of this sell for up to $US20,000, although facismile versions are available for as little as $US80.

http://www.library.gatech.edu/about_us/digital/barnard/

Barnard appears to have the ability to get by with little or no sleep. I wish I could do that.

[ballaratdragons]

Happy 148th Birthday Ed. Are you still looking up? Thanks for giving us the kick-start mate!

Sorry, but I can't afford your $20,000 book.

[Volans]

Before E.E.Barnard there was Sir William Herschel. Anyone who can pin the rotation rate of Saturn to within 15 minutes or so by pure visual observation has to be up there with the best! Mind you, he also smeared an onion on himself before a night's observing.

[h0ughy]

thanks for the reminder!

[Argonavis]

I often wonder what they did before mosquitto repellant

[Argonavis]

see also

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=5429

[rumples riot]

Yes without the Pioneers we would not be where we are today. I am sure that in 150 years time they will look back at us and think that we were pioneers. Interesting to be part of history.